How to sell your car privately

Put together a folder for your car

First gather all the paperwork for your car so the future buyer can see you’ve taken good care of it. Documentation will also prove that the odometer is accurate. You should have:

• The owner’s manual
• The warranty documents
• Maintenance and repair receipts
• Rustproofing certificates
• Recall notices

Have your car inspected before you list it for sale

A conscientious buyer will want to have your car inspected. Make things easy for them by having it done yourself. Then you’ll have a record of your vehicle’s condition to help you set a fair and accurate price, and because you paid for the inspection, you can use it more than once if the first person interested doesn’t end up buying. Of course, some potential buyers will want to do their own inspection. Don’t appear annoyed or hesitant, as that could be interpreted as a sign that you have something to hide.

Consider staging your car

It’s been proven that a clean car sells quicker and for more money than one in need of some TLC. Some workshops specializing in car aesthetics offer “like new” packages, but you can also do the work yourself. We recommend:

• Vacuuming everywhere inside (even the trunk!)
• Washing your car thoroughly inside and out
• Polishing the rims
• Touching up the paint, as needed

Set the asking price for your car

This is probably the hardest part about getting your car ready to sell. But there’s good news. CAA-Quebec’s Automotive Advisory Services have expert knowledge to guide members and access to insider tools like the Hebdo Book, the car reseller’s bible to determine your used vehicle's list price. You can also browse classified ads or auto magazines to compare your car with others of the same make, year, and model with similar equipment and mileage. Speaking of mileage, keep in mind that the average Quebecer drives 16,000 km a year. So a five-year-old car should have about 100,000 km on it. That’s another factor in setting the right price.

And once you’ve done that, remember that your future buyer will probably want to negotiate. Set your asking price accordingly and have a number that is your absolute lowest in mind.

Did you know?

New cars lose 20% of their value as soon as they leave the dealership. After three years—or four or five for models with proven reliability—the value drops 50%.

Calculating tax on a used vehicle purchase

Remember that your buyer will have to pay Quebec Sales Tax (QST) to Société de l’assurance automobile du Québec (SAAQ) when the vehicle is registered to the new owner. QST is calculated on the higher of the following two amounts:

• The estimated value of the vehicle
• The sale price of the vehicle

The sale, contract, and down payment

Protect your transaction. Ask for a non-refundable down payment, in case your customer changes their mind. It’s best to draw up a contract. A contract is not required for private-party sales but CAA-Quebec recommends having one and even provides a model contract members can download.

Model contract

Use it to specify the date for full payment and transfer of ownership, contact information for you and the buyer, information about the vehicle (make, model year, mileage, mechanical condition, bodywork, after-market equipment), the warranty, the requested down payment, the price, etc. If things don’t work out, this will make it easier to sell to someone else.

Beware of online fraud

Does an overseas buyer want your car for the asking price? Beware! Such situations are usually a scam where the buyer wants to pay by bank draft—so they can easily steal your personal information.